Spain came into the match after two defeats against China and the United States, after starting with good victories against Azerbaijan and France that promised great results in the tournament. The team recovered its good sensations with a victory against Australia (17-21) . This victory, together with France’s defeat by the United States (14-13), gives the team one of the first six places in the group mathematically , regardless of what it does tonight against Canada and tomorrow against Germany. It will be the first six teams that will fight for the medals: the first two go directly to the semi-finals and the next four play a play-in.
Australia started with the first possession, which they knew how to take advantage of to score the first. Spain did not get off to a good start , losing the first pass, but Sandra was able to recover it to give the first point to the Spanish team. Australia, being a team similar to the Spanish team, gives the national team some advantage after the defeat against the United States. The Australians took advantage of Spain’s lack of defensive solidity, causing damage with their inside game, especially through Marena Whittle. Australia’s defensive pressure limited the Spanish game and made it difficult for Gracia Alonso de Armiño to find space under the basket. However, Vega Gimeno stood out as a playmaker, moving the ball with speed and tying the game. A free throw by Gimeno put Spain ahead for the first time.
The Oceanic players started by putting good pressure on defense, limiting Spain’s play and easily gaining ground on the inside, while Gracia Alonso de Armiño tried to find space under the basket but couldn’t find it. Until Vega Gimeno took on the role of director and managed to tie the game by moving the ball quickly to destabilize her rivals, goal accomplished, Spain woke up and managed to distract the Australians with a free throw scored by Gimeno to take the lead on the scoreboard for the first time in the game.
Spain’s limitations in the inside game
Without Vega Gimeno on the court, Spain was limited, but Sandra Ygueravide kept the team going with a two-point shot. Australia responded quickly with a fast-paced attack. The first five minutes were crucial, with both teams maintaining a high intensity in the game, as the players stepped on the accelerator, but the Australian team did not take their foot off the pedal to not give their rivals any breathing room.
Fouls are crucial for victory
Fouls were Australia’s trump card, making free throws that added important points. Sandra Ygueravide excelled on two-point shots, keeping Spain in the game. The Australians’ free throw errors gave the Spanish an advantage.
Australia tied the score at 16-16 thanks to an offensive rebound, taking advantage of the few rebounds collected by Spain. Australia’s seventh and eighth fouls allowed Spain two free throws that Vega Gimeno took advantage of to score the decisive free throw, closing the score at 21 points and being the key player of the match.
Format and classification
The tournament format is simple. The eight teams play in a single group (round robin, seven games each) and the top two advance to the semi-finals. The bottom two are eliminated. Then, the third plays the sixth and the fourth plays the fifth for the other two semi-final spots. At this point, after five matches, Spain is fourth with a 3-2 record. Germany and Canada, against whom the players coached by Anna Junyer and Nuria Martínez have not yet faced, lead the group with four and three victories, respectively.
